Upon graduating from High School I never really yearned to attend college. My Mom, in a most endearing way, had already prepped me to follow her lead and Nana's lead as well -- cosmetology was the profession that suited my family well. It was a prestigious profession. It put money in their hands during the Depression. It built their homes and businesses and sent them to Florida every winter. Nana even worked for a Mr. Valdez in the 40s and 50s in St. Petersburg, taking Mom and the family along. There are 8 mm films with my Mom and Nana going to work under the palm trees with their white uniforms. While Dad was filming my hand remained in my Nano's hand. For 5 years old it was a time I remember well

So started the indoctrination at a young age that Beauty Culture would be my future. I attended M. Fazio Beauty School when I turned 18. Mary Fazio the owner was quite a lady. She was statuesque and always had a smile. I never remember her being angry or upset. My Mom was also taught Cosmetology by her and the instructors became Mom's friends. That was not always in my favor as I had many eyes on me to do well. The final residence of the school was on Essex Street in Lawrence -- The Fifth Avenue of Lawrence at one time. Political destruction was its ruin.

I learned my future there at Fazio's. However it also became "party central"! I met wonderful lifetime friends who established the career woman I would become! So many boys who wanted and became master hair stylists were all my friends. They would dress me up and take me out. They fixed my hair and at one point in time decorated my apartment! They hooked up my stereo speakers and fixed the antenna on an old TV. Ah -- what was life without these dancing partners. And dancing we did, every chance we could get! It was a gay and happy life!

Mom became proud that I had accomplished graduating, and in time owned my own Natural Nailcare salon for 13 years.

I shall always remember the disco days dancing through Beauty School.

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

--Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.allthatzazz.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or mary@mary4nails.com.